grub
/ɡrʌb/- 1.
Informal food, especially simple, filling, or tasty food. It is often used for meals or snacks, especially in casual speech.
- We got some good grub after the match.
- There’s plenty of grub at the party.
- This café serves cheap, tasty grub.
- 2.
A larva or small worm-like insect. People often use this meaning in biology or when talking about insects in soil or food.
- The bird pulled a grub from the ground.
- These grubs can damage the roots.
- He found white grubs under the soil.
To search or dig around for food, or to work hard for something in an informal way. This use is less common than the noun.
- They grubbed around in the garden for worms.
- We had to grub for leftovers.
- He grubs for cash jobs every week.
Adinary Nuance
Grub is more casual than food, meal, or snack. It often sounds friendly, everyday, and a little rough or humorous. For insects, grub is specific and common, while larva is more scientific. In verb form, grub can suggest searching or working hard in an informal way.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đồ ăn
- Spanish
- comida
- Chinese
- 食物
- Japanese
- 食べ物
- Korean
- 음식
Etymology
Grub came into English in the 16th century. It is related to older Germanic words meaning to dig or scratch, which helped shape both the food and insect senses.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is grub a formal word for food?
- No. It is informal and often sounds casual or playful.
- What is the difference between grub and food?
- Food is neutral. Grub usually means simple, tasty, or filling food.
- Can grub mean an insect?
- Yes. It can mean a small larva or worm-like insect.
- Is grub common in everyday English?
- The food meaning is common in informal speech. The insect meaning is also common in science and gardening.